Cross by Langston Hughes Analysis

The poem discusses Hughes’ background and identity as a person of mixed race, a white father and a black mother. To go about how he feels about it, he uses both literal and implied definition of words. When he states that “My old man’s a white old man” and “And my old mother’s black” he simply states his parents’ identity. He uses the literal definitions of the words “white” and “black” and describes his parents with color and no other way. The title of the poem, “Cross,” however, can be used to show more than one meaning and portray multiple ideas. The title shows that he is of mixed race, between black and white, which is what the poem is about. It also, however, captures the idea that he is trying to convey. “Cross can also be associated with Jesus, and the burden he had t carry with him. Hughes goes about talking of his background as if it were a burden. He does not know how to identify himself, as shown in “I wonder where I’m gonna die, Being neither white nor black.” He questions not only his race, but also his social standing. When he says that “My old man died in a fine house” and “My ma died in a shack,” he implies that his father died wealthy and his mother died poor. They probably did not actually die in those places, but the atmosphere of those two environments show the social standing of both families. His use of connotations with “curse” and “wish” also help establish a flow to the reader and provide the idea that on his feelings towards each parent. He used “curse” with his father saying that if he were to use bad language, he would receive an ill fate. With his mother, “wish” showed his intent for her fate. The poet does not know what to say about his identity, and wants to place the blame on his parents, but ultimately, he knows that he can’t, as it is not their fault that he is who he is.